You Are the Sum of Your Bytes
In this week’s episode we visit with Miki Johnson, former senior editor at American Photo Magazine, and discuss ideas for mastering social media and her exciting Matchstick Workshops, a program encouraging multi-discipline collaboration between creative professionals. Post a review on iTunes for a chance to win a LowePro Fastpack 350. Email podcast@pictage.com after leaving your review.
Get to Know Miki Johnson
Below Miki shares her background as well as images that shed light on her life and her love of photography.
I was born in Athens, Ohio, and received a journalism degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. As editor of the liveBooks RESOLVE Blog, and before that as senior editor at American Photo Magazine, I both observed and experienced the recent reordering of worldwide media. While this has scared and confused some people, it excites me — my goal now is to instill that excitement in people who might otherwise be confused and scared. I’m currently working for myself, writing, editing, and doing social media consulting. I’m always happy to discuss projects that I can help make a little more *awesome.*
When asked for images to accompany this podcast, I of course went to my bookshelves, initially looking for some old American Photo magazines I’d had a hand in. What I found in my stack of magazines I think is a nice snapshot of my life and love of photography.
The Field & Stream featuring Erika Larsen’s amazing photo essay on “Kids, Guns, and Hunting.” I grew up on 100-acre sufficiency farm in southeast Ohio, hunting deer, so I always connected with that work — and had the pleasure of finally meeting Erika this summer at LOOKbetween.
San Francisco is my home now but I do love New York, where I lived for three years while I was working at American Photo Magazine. This New York magazine featuring Vincent Laforet’s cover image really struck a chord with me.
I’m a foodie and love to cook. Julia Child, of course, has been a huge inspiration for me. This magazine is produced quarterly from Berkeley and this issue dedicated entirely to Julia after her death is one of my favorite magazines of all time.
This was the first issue of the college version of Popular Photography, which I was editor-in-chief of for its first year. I basically produced this with one other person, a young designer, and although it nearly killed me (I think I wrote 8 of the 10 stories) I’m also very very proud of it.
The first issue of American Photo where I managed the feature well (the bulk of the magazine in the middle with all the images). I also managed the front section, which focused on “what’s next” in the photo industry, while the feature was on rising star photographers. Since then I’ve been lucky to work on all kinds of projects “looking forward,” and I’m excited to keep doing so.
About the Host- Travis Schreer
Travis is a wanderer who has a life-long passion for helping creative people realize their ambitions. While studying at the Kendall College of Art and Design and Eastern Michigan University, simultaneously pursuing a BFA in fine art and a Masters in creative writing, Travis rediscovered his fascination with photography and began working as a product photographer. After a brief stint studying poetry in Paris and years of developing his own artistic identity from the comforts of various midwestern cities, Travis packed his wool socks and moved to the chilly climes of Alaska. While there, he broadened his knowledge of the photography industry through his work for Alaska’s largest advertising agency and his involvement with several stock photography companies. It was also in Alaska that Travis photographed his first wedding alongside his partner, photographer Jessica Hill, and the two began to lay the groundwork for the company that was to follow. Then, it was on to Portland, Oregon where Jessica and Travis would put all of their brainstorming into effect and establish Jessica Hill Photography as one of the premiere boutique wedding photography studios in the area. Next time you’re in Portland, stop by Laurelhurst Park, where Travis can be found most evenings. He’s the scruffy guy playing with Collignon Quincampoix, the coolest dog you will ever meet.